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January 8, 2007

Randy Nehrt

Jesse White Takes Oath of Office for Third Term as Illinois Secretary of State
Pledges To Continue Improving Road Safety, Customer Service and Government Ethics

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White took the oath of office for a third term January 8 at the Inaugural Ceremony for Illinois Constitutional Officers at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center in Springfield.

In his Inaugural Address, White outlined his priorities as road safety, customer service and government ethics.

"I have always considered public service to be a tremendous honor and it is an honor that comes with an even greater responsibility," White said. "The work that we do as public servants, does affect the lives of our citizens. It is our mission - our duty - to set the course for positive change.

"And it is with that duty in mind, that I continue to transform the Illinois Secretary of State's office into a modern, efficient public service office, work tirelessly to make the roads of Illinois safer for motorists, and set an example for honesty and integrity in state government."

White thanked the people of Illinois for their support on Election Day and noted that their vote of confidence encouraged him that he was moving the Secretary of State's Office in the right direction. White listed some of his administration's most important accomplishments

• Banned political activity and doesn't solicit or accept political contributions from employees
• Encouraged employees to report unethical behavior
• Legislatively mandated a strict, independent Inspector General
• Reduced the waiting times for customers at driver facilities and introduced Internet service
• Strengthened testing and training standards for truck drivers that led the U.S. Dept. of Transportation to call the Illinois truck licensing program one of the best in the nation
• Toughened Illinois DUI laws and laws aimed at protecting new, teen drivers

White said it was important to remember that not all that long ago licenses were bought with bribe money, state employees were required to buy and sell fundraising tickets, the Illinois truck driver licensing program was considered one of the weakest in the country, some Illinois citizens waited full days to obtain their drivers' licenses and employees felt no protection for reporting unethical activities.

"Why am I reliving the past on a day that focuses on the future?" White asked. "Because as leaders of this state, we must all remember how wrong things can go when our focus is not on the job. Serving as your Secretary of State is an honor that I have not and I will not take for granted. I reaffirm my pledge that this administration will uphold the dignity and honor that we all expect from state government."

White pledged to hit the ground running and noted that his esteemed Teen Driver Safety Task Force was set to hold its final meeting the following day to put the finishing touches on a blueprint for a new Graduated Driver Licensing Program for young, novice drivers that could serve as a model for the rest of the nation.